Iressa

[sgwlamb]

Hello everyone. My sister (age 40) was diagnosed with nsclc in November 2001. Received chemo and radiation. Then had mets to the brain. received radiation. Now they say it is in her lymph nodes and want to put her on the drug Iressa. They say her body can not tolerate any more chemo, and radiation is not possible. They state Iressa is the only option and expect her to be on it ?2yrs. They have not given her a prognosis. anyone had experience with this drug. From what I have read, it is very wicked (side effects) but it seems this may be her only hope.
Thanks
Sgwlamb

[wcmats]

My 85 year-old mom was diagnosed with Stage 3B lung cancer in Nov 2000. She went through radiation / chemo and got very sick. However, this stopped the disease for quite sometime.
In Feb 2003 it spread again and now is classified as Stage 4. She went on Iressa for 2 months and then was taken off the drug due to severe side effects including multiple vomiting and diarrhea, a terrible skin rash, “tightness” of skin that caused unnatural wrinkles, and dehydration enough to hospitalize her. Still, Iressa got rid of the cancer once again. Our doctor says the worse the symptoms, the more effect it has on the cancer.
Now, my mom is recovered from her sickness and is feeling fine!!!! The doctor says her lungs sound great! How long it will last know one knows, but for someone given 6 months to live by her primary care physician in Nov 2000, I’m not complaining.

[bettye]

I HAVE BEEN ON IRESSA FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW FOR STAGE FOUR LUNG CANCER. I HAVE HAD NO SIDE EFFECTS AT ALL, I FOUND THE SECRET IS THE FLUID YOU TAKE. BE SURE AND DRINK PLENTY OF GATOR AID OR WHAT EVER YOUR PREFERENCE. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM ANY ONE ON THIS SUBJECT.I AM 75YRS.OLD AND HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HEALTHY, LEARNING ABOUT THIS HAS BEEN VERY DEVESTATING. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW YOUR FEELINGS.

[mehren]

Hello all,

My mom took Iressa for two years. She is no longer taking it as the cancer came back in her bones, so the doctor stopped the Iressa and she is now on chemo again.

I hate cancer.

I don't know if the Iressa worked for two years and then stopped working or if it never worked at all and this is the course of things regardless.

Funny thing is, about 2-3 months before she got diagnosed she missedtaking the Iressa for about 5 weeks because of a shipping error, then she had mets.

We will never know if it's because she missed doses.

All my love to each of you learning to LIVE WITH CANCER. I know the professionals out there call adjusting to life after diagnosis a "new normal". I prefer the "old abnormal", but this is life now and we must focus on the positive.

As has been said "any day I wake up, is a good day!"

With Prayers,

Maxine

[pentek128]

My MIL just started Iressa two weeks ago (Stage IV lung cancer). She has mild diarrhea and a pretty bad facial skin rash/acne. They just gave her some cream for the acne so we are hoping that helps. Other that these symptoms, she is fine. We are just praying it is working on the cancer....